Garfield

Andrews McMeel Entertainment secures new Garfield film rights

Thanks to the efforts of Bridget McMeel and Andrews McMeel Entertainment, Alcon Entertainment has secured the rights to produce a fully animated movie of the iconic comic strip Garfield, with plans to build a franchise of fully animated Garfield feature films. Alcon acquired the rights from Jim Davis, the creator of the Garfield series and brand, who will serve as the executive producer for the film. McMeel will executive produce with Davis.

More than four years ago, McMeel brought in John Cohen, producer of the critically acclaimed franchise Despicable Me and the animated feature Angry Birds, and introduced him to Davis. They have worked tirelessly on this project ever since, shopping at a few different studios. Cohen brought the project to Alcon and will produce the feature along with producer Steve Wegner, and Alcon co-CEOs Broderick Johnson and Andrew Kosove.

Founded in 1970, Andrews McMeel Universal is the world’s largest independently owned feature syndicate and a publishing industry leader. Distinguished by a creator-first approach and the uncanny ability to tap into the zeitgeist of popular culture, Andrews McMeel specializes in comics, illustrated humor and inspirational content, with a remarkable roster of talent across syndication, book, calendar, and greeting card publishing, digital consumer experiences, and entertainment licensing, including dozens of New York Times best-selling authors and Pulitzer Prize-, Reuben Award-, and Emmy Award-winning creators.